Cook Islanders Greet Leaders At Pacific Islands Forum

Sep 4 2012 (IPS) - The 43rd Pacific Islands Forum was held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, from 28 to 30 August 2012 involved leaders from the 16 member Pacific nations including Australia and New Zealand. This year’s theme: “Large Ocean Island States – the Pacific Challenge” with major topics including climate change, trade and fishing.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton along with more than 500 officials from nearly 60 countries including China, and European Union attended as observers and participated in other meetings in the Cook Islands, some 3000 km northeast of New Zealand.